The Opening Ceremony through the eyes of Denisse Van Lamoen

The archery world champion Denisse Van Lamoen  was selected to be the flagbearer of Chile for the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games on 27 July. She is the first female athlete from Chile to ever win a world title.

The 32-year-old archer, who already represented Chile at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, shared her impressions of the Opening Ceremony in an interview with World Archery.

For the second time in the Olympic history of Chile, the flag bearer was decided by popular vote instead of being chosen by the President of the National Olympic Committee. The Committee submitted a list of five potential flag bearers to the public, and people voted via messages.

The name of the winner was to be revealed by the President of the Olympic Committee at a ceremony held on 28 June in the “Palacio de la Moneda” - the Presidential Palace of Chile - in the presence of the President, sports and political authorities.

“It was a very emotional moment, and to me it seemed like an election of Miss World or Miss Universe, because we had to wait for the President to unveil the name of the flag bearer,” Denisse explained. “I was extremely nervous for the two days before that moment! After my name was announced, the President of Chile Sebastian Pinera handed me the country's flag in a symbolic gesture.”

“I had a very stressful time after the ceremony. I had just flown back to Santiago from the Ogden World Cup the day before, and I was to leave for Germany for pre-Olympic training two days later. I had a thousand things to do on top of packing the suitcases. The President of the Chilean Olympic Committee told me that we had to go buy my national costume for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. I never thought we would manage to find it in such a short time, but we did."

London was Denisse's first Opening Ceremony. She participated at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games but could not attend the Opening Ceremony because she was scheduled to compete on the first day. In London, she was competing as an individual, without a team, so it was perfect for the ceremony: she could take one full day off the next day, since she was not competing until 31 July.

“We left the Olympic Village for the Stadium around 9 o’clock. I spent the waiting time with the athletes of the Chilean delegation; I was able to talk with them, take photos, and I posed for pictures with everyone since I was the flag bearer in the national costume."

“I really enjoyed this walk to the entrance of the stadium. We were standing outside on a “street” with fences on both sides and there were people behind them, a lot of high school students applauding and taking photos, or asking for our autographs. There were also several media from Chile."

“Shortly before entering the stadium, someone from the Organising Committee gave me the flag to carry. We walked through a tunnel under the stands and suddenly we were out in the stadium and in the light, and there were thousands of people cheering."

“I was filled with pride, and it gave me chills and gooseflesh. I thought of all the people who were watching me on television back in Chile, and all the people who voted for me. I felt so much emotion, and it was absolutely wonderful; I don’t have words to describe that experience. I was smiling from ear to ear. I was like a little girl, and I know I’m not a little girl anymore, but we all have a kid inside, right?"

“I had to almost run with the flag around the stadium, because I’m so small! I knew the Queen was in the stadium, but I didn’t manage to see her. Since I was the one walking in front of the delegation, I was very close to a performer holding a cone. Upon realising that there was one cone per country, I understood how they would light the cauldron. I think the symbolism of it was very beautiful, to have the fire come from all the countries and be united in the Olympic Flame."The fireworks were also incredible. I am at loss for words to describe the beauty of those moments.“

“I missed the beginning of the Ceremony, because we were outside the stadium waiting, but I plan to watch it on television later on.“

“After the Ceremony we were brought back to the village: I went straight to my room, looked at myself in the mirror one last time, and changed to go have dinner with my coach and my sports psychologist. We recalled the incredible moments that we had experienced."

“These are memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and it’s something I will be proud to tell my children. While the outcome of a competition depend on our performance and means being the best at a given moment, being chosen as flag bearer at the Olympic Games is different, because it means something more personal, it is about being loved by the people that have appreciated the way I've represented our country abroad. There are few people who have the privilege to be a flag bearer at the Olympic Games. It is a great source of pride for me and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. This is all I can share with you, the rest cannot be expressed in words.”

Denisse Van Lamoen, who became the Panamerican champion in May, is one of Chile’s strongest medal hopefuls at the London Games. She is to compete in the women’s individual archery event on 31 July at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

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